Posted By Ian Waldram
I am responding because:
a) There is obviously some serious concern;
b) I know that some key people are away this week, so maybe a quick response on Monday won't be as easy as Arran's reply suggests.
In case you aren't aware, I'm the Immediate Past-President, and both the President and Chief Executive are in US for most of the week, at the ASSE Annual Conference.
First - does IOSH take its Code of Conduct seriously? I think the fact that both a Chat Forum Moderator and myself have responded independently over a weekend indicates that we do. However that Code relates primarily to individual conduct as OSH advisors, also as members of a professional body.
It is not intended to directly relate to all our conduct as citizens, employers, employees, family members, etc. unless that conduct potentially brings the Institution into disrepute (item 8). The "Additional Guidance" in the Code provides examples of what that means for specific groups such as employers, trainers, etc.
Second - what is the process? When complaints are made about individual members, the process is that they are reviewed by the Chief Executive (Rob Strange, whom I have always found to be someone with very high personal standards, and therefore unlikely to make biassed judgements, particularly in issues affecting individuals). If he judges that there is substance in the complaint, it is then passed to a small committee which investigates further, seeks a response from the individual, etc. before coming to a decision. The detailed process is included in the IOSH Articles of Association, and summarised in the "Code of Conduct" booklet.
Third - What to do if you are unhappy about decisions made? Can I respectfully suggest that a message on this public Forum over a weekend, whilst it raises the profile of your complaint, is unlikely to persuade neutral parties that you have a good case? It is important that judgements linke to our Code of Conduct are made on factual data, though clearly the parties involved are likely also to have strong emotions. I am sorry that you feel you have been wrongly treated, both initially by an IOSH member, and then by Rob Strange in relation to your complaint. However public discussions will not lead to any resolution of either issue. Please put any continued concerns in writing, addressed to Rob as Chief Executive - and I will do my part to ensure that they are reviewed appropriately.
Fourth - what about comments on this Chat Forum? A different Code applies, as not all participants are IOSH members. The Chat Forum is Moderated, by Arran Linton-Smith and others, and as far as possible errors, offensive remarks, etc. are removed, with appropriate messages sent to those involved. However, it isn't easy to decide at the margins, and those of us in senior positions accept that publicly-expressed opinions about us are all part of the role. We ARE much more concerned about negative comments made about our staff, who need to be defended from abuse and verbal bullying as do all other employees.